Short answer: the JBL Pulse 5. It ranks #48 of 175 medium speakers by sound quality (rated 3.7/5) at $219.99 and is still sold new; the Sony SRS-XB20 ranks #120 (rated 2.8/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Sony SRS-XB20’s replacement, the Sony ULT Field 1, is rated 3.1/5 at $138.
The JBL Pulse 5 is the better-sounding, tougher choice. A cool light show, though it is not synced to the music like the Pulse 2. It is rated IP67 against IPX5 for the Sony SRS-XB20. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Sony SRS-XB20 lacks. It charges over USB-C rather than Micro USB. The catch: Bass does not reach as deep as others, and the plastic scratches easily.
The Sony SRS-XB20 is the lighter pick. At 1.3 lbs (590 g) it weighs much less than the JBL Pulse 5 at 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg). It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Pulse 5 lacks. It keeps a wired aux input, which the JBL Pulse 5 lacks. The tradeoff: Sounds thin at higher volumes.
Buy the JBL Pulse 5. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Sony SRS-XB20 is discontinued.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Pulse 5 | Sony SRS-XB20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $219.99 | $129 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #48 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #120 of 175 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (SongPal) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX5 |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Partychain up to 100 speakers) |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | No |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs (1500 g) | 1.3 lbs (590 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 4.2” x 8.4” x 5.2” (107 x 214 x 131 mm) | 7.8” x 2.7” x 2.7” (198 x 68 x 69 mm) |
| Drivers | 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter | 2x 42mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Amplifier Power | 40W | 20W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | No | - |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
| Power Bank | - | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Pulse 5: $219.99 Amazon $219.99 eBay
Newer model: the JBL Pulse 6, ranked lower, estimated 3.7/5, released 2026. It adds USB audio input, AAC and LC3. Water resistance goes from IP67 to IP68. See every JBL Pulse generation.
Pros: JBL Pulse 5 uses 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter. Its 1500 g, claimed 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IP67 protection and mono playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use. A cool light show, though it is not synced to the music like the Pulse 2. Measured bass extension of ~58Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass is limited by its ~58Hz specification. Bass does not reach as deep as others, and the plastic scratches easily.
Full JBL Pulse 5 review and specifications →
| Released | 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 40W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 4.2” x 8.4” x 5.2” (107 x 214 x 131 mm) |
| Drivers | 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs (1500 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- M1MTechChannel: Welche JBL Partybox ist die BESTE ? Alle Partyboxen im Vergleich | 2026 More from M1MTechChannel →
- Techder Audios: JBL PULSE 5 VS JBL CHARGE 5 "LIGHTS VS BASS?!" More from techderaudios →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Bass Check 💣 Treblab HD-360, Ultimate Ears EpicBoom, Marshall Middleton & JBL Pulse 5. Boom or Bust? More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sony SRS-XB20: $129 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Sony ULT Field 1, ranked higher, rated 3.1/5, released Apr 2024. See every Sony XB and ULT generation.
Pros: Sony SRS-XB20 uses 2x 42mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators. Its 590 g, claimed 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) battery life, IPX5 protection, aux input and stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use.
Cons: No EQ adjustment. Sounds thin at higher volumes. Discontinued.
Full Sony SRS-XB20 review and specifications →
| Released | Mar 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 20W |
| App | Yes (SongPal) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.8” x 2.7” x 2.7” (198 x 68 x 69 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 42mm full-range drivers + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX5 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Partychain up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs (590 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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